The New York Sharks were a women's American football team that was based in New York City. Their final season in 2018 was played as a member team of the Women's Football Alliance (WFA). They were the longest running and most winning team in women's football history with the honor of having a signed football in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Staff

Management staff Owner – Andra Douglas CFO, Social Media Mgr, former VP of Operations - Dana Sparling General manager – Tia Hopkins VP - Crystal Turpin

The final 2018 season coaching staff: Head coach – Fabian Alesandro Defensive coordinator – Kyle Copeland Receivers Coach - Alan Walls O-Line Coach - Yatia Hopkins Defensive Backs Coach - Toni Salvatore Quality Control - Pat Brown Quarterbacks Coach - Fabian Baez

History

First full-contact game The New Yorks Sharks originally started as a women's flag football team called the Long Island Sharks was founded and owned by Jacqueline Colon. They played in international tournaments and were national champions.

In 1999, the Women's Professional Football League (WPFL) was formed. It consisted of two teams, the Minnesota Vixens and the Lake Michigan Minx. They traveled the country playing each other on what was called the "No Limits" Tour. They had heard about the success of the Long Island Sharks and challenged them to a full contact, tackle football game.

Jacqueline Colon accepted the challenge and with two months to prepare, converted her flag football team to a tackle football team. On Saturday, December 11, 1999, the Minnesota Vixens came to New York to take on the Sharks. The Vixens were favored having played 4 games already, having a 2–2 record.

The Sharks were coached by former New York Jet Bobby Jackson. Before 300 fans on a windy day at Mitchel Field, Long Island Sharks surprised Minnesota, defeating them 12–6. The Sharks recorded two touchdown passes by quarterback Val Halesworth. One score was on a long pass to Natalie Jufer that led to a 71-yard touchdown. The other score was an 18-yard pass to Valerie Monaco.

Independent Women's Football League The Sharks played their home games at the Aviator Sports Complex at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York. They played an 8-game regular season schedule.

Future From 2014 to 2015, the Sharks played in the Independent Women's Football League. From 2016 to 2018, the Sharks were a member team in the Women's Football Alliance (WFA). In 2018 the team was sold and became the New York Wolves.

Season-by-season (not including Long Island Sharks flag football seasons)

| colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (No Limits Barnstorming) |- |1999 || 1 || 0 || 0 || -- || Won Exhibition Game (Minnesota) |- | colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (WPFL) |- |2000 || 4 || 2 || 0 || 2nd NC East || Lost National Conference Qualifier (New England) |- | colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (Independent) |- |2001 || 6 || 1 || 0 || -- || -- |- | colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (IWFL) |- |2002 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 1st East || Won IWFL Championship (Austin) |- |2003 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Championship (Bay State)Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento) |- |2004 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Chicago)Won Eastern Conference Championship (Tampa Bay)Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento) |- |2005 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Southern Maine)Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta) |- |2006 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Miami)Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta) |- |2007 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 1st EC North Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Manchester)Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta) |- |2008 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 2nd Tier I EC North Atlantic || -- |- |2009 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 3rd Tier I EC North Atlantic || -- |- |2010 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 2nd Tier I EC Northeast || Lost Northeast Division Championship (Boston) |- | colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (WFA) |- |2011 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 2nd NC North || -- |- |2012 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 2nd NC Division 2 || Won National Conference Wildcard (Keystone)Lost National Conference Quarterfinal (Boston) |- !Totals || 92 || 27 || 0 |colspan="2"| (including playoffs)

* = current standing

2012 roster New York Sharks roster Quarterback Karen Mulligan

Running backs Gabrielle Nazaire Isabella Bluhm Janea Wilkerson

Wide receivers Alissa Anderson Erika Cottle Charonn Sutton Danielle Myers Melodie Abrook (TE) Lauren Pringle Laura Baden Anaïs Sumnicht Offensive line Lenahndem Tankeng (G/T) Melissa Pickett (C/G) Leslie Thompson (G) Sarah Schkeeper (G) Kymm Elliott (T) Janelle Yarn

Defensive line Katie Rose Cornelia Myers Michelle Bresnahan Leah Maher Ruth Martinez Veronica Simmons (DE)

Linebackers Collette V. Smith Erica Butler Laura Coleslaw Amy Deal Satterfield Defensive backs Cheri Eleazer (FS) Toni Salvatore (CB) H. Marie Williams (FS) Collette V. Smith (FS)

Special teams currently vacant

Multiple Positions Odessa Jenkins (RB/S) Jay Dantzler (CB/RB) Darleen Hall (WR/LB) Yatia Hopkins (FB/DE) Kristine Elmore (OL/LB) Vivian Alberty (FB/OL) Manouchka Joseph (NG/DT) Larissa Davis (WR/DB) Seleta Harrison (OL/DL) Injured reserve currently vacant

Exempt List currently vacant

Practice squad currently vacant

2009

Season schedule DateOpponentHome/AwayResultApril 11New York NemesisAwayWon 21-7April 25Boston MilitiaHomeLost 7-21May 2Philadelphia FirebirdsAwayWon 33-14May 9Connecticut CrushersHomeWon 40-7May 16D.C. DivasHomeLost 7-21May 30New England IntensityAwayWon 44-0June 6D.C. DivasAwayLost 18-34June 13Pittsburgh PassionHomeLost 33-34

2010

Season schedule DateOpponentHome/AwayResultApril 10Philadelphia FirebirdsAwayWon 64-0April 17D.C. DivasHomeWon 19-13April 24Connecticut CrushersHomeWon 65-14May 1Jersey JusticeAwayWon 50-8May 8Pittsburgh PassionHomeWon 12-8May 15Boston MilitiaAwayLost 0-31May 22Baltimore NighthawksHomeWon 38-6June 5Pittsburgh PassionAwayWon 27-10June 12Boston Militia (Northeast Division Championship)AwayLost 6-25

2011

Standings

Season schedule DateOpponentHome/AwayResultApril 2Philadelphia Liberty BellesAwayWon 34-20April 16Boston MilitiaAwayLost 7-28April 30New England NightmareHomeWon 48-12May 7Northeastern NitroHomeWon 27-21May 21Boston MilitiaHomeLost 6-43June 4New England NightmareAwayWon 28-8June 11Northeastern NitroAwayWon 46-7June 18D.C. DivasHomeLost 16-38

2012

Standings

Season schedule DateOpponentHome/AwayResultApril 14Boston MilitiaAwayLost 6-64April 21Maine LynxAwayWon 6-0**April 28D.C. DivasAwayLost 12-41May 5Philadelphia Liberty BellesHomeWon 25-8May 12D.C. DivasHomeLost 13-41June 2Philadelphia Liberty BellesAwayWon 31-0June 9New England NightmareHomeWon 72-14June 16Boston MilitiaHomeLost 12-55

** = Won by forfeit

References

External links